Triathlon Ireland are holding a Talent Identification and Paratriathlon Introduction Day in AIT, Athlone on the 24th of November. The Talent ID Day is suitable for talented young athletes who have experience of competitive swimming and running while the Paratriathlon Information Day is an introduction to paratriathlon as it was recently announced that it will form part of the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016.

About the programme:

The Triathlon Ireland Talent Identification programme has the goal of locating talented junior athletes between the ages of 14 and 23 and developing them to their full potential in the sport of triathlon. This programme is about high performance sport and developing highly talented athletes who have the potential to compete for their country..

We are looking for athletes with the following profile:

A strong swimming background and some running experience (school cross country, community games participation, athletics club);

Keen to represent Ireland in one of the fastest growing and most exciting Olympic sports;

A willingness to work up to a standard to compete with the rest of the world.

Standards required

The times/points that we look at for entry to the Junior Development Program are given in the High Performance Table.

Triathlon Ireland will host an introduction day on paratriathlon on the 24th of November in AIT, Athlone. We will be joined by experts from Paralympics Ireland along with qualified coaches in order to provide information about all things paratriathlon and answer any questions you may have.

With paratriathlon now part of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Triathlon Ireland recognises the medal opportunities here and we are actively seeking athletes interested in competing on the world stage. While there are opportunities to represent your country at the Paralympic Games this information day is aimed at para athletes of every level.

TRI 2 – Severe leg impairment including above knee amputees. Athletes must ride bicycles and run with above knee prosthesis (or similar prosthesis) or run using crutches.

TRI 3 – Les Autres: This category includes athletes with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, double leg amputee runners or paralysis in multiple limbs. These athletes will ride a bicycle and run. They may use braces or prosthesis if required.

TRI 4 – Arm impairment including paralysis, above elbow amputees and below elbow amputees, or impairment in both upper limbs. Athletes may use prosthesis, brace or sling on the bike and/or run.

TRI 6 – Visual Impairment, legally Blind (20/200 vision with best corrective vision). A handler of the same sex is mandatory throughout the race. Athletes are tethered during the swim. Athletes use a tandem bicycle and must be tethered during the run. Athletes shall use approved “black out glasses” during the entire run portion